In Lake Elsinore, California, a 70-year-old man has been nabbed for posing as a cop, complete with traffic stops and fake badges, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported. The suspect, identified as Steven Sawhill of Canyon Lake, allegedly took to the streets with a convincing Crown Victoria—decked out in emergency lights—to pull over unsuspecting drivers, a deception revealed by area surveillance footage.
On March 7, deputies from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station were tipped off about the phony enforcer operating within Canyon Lake; video evidence captured Sawhill staging a sham traffic stop, where he presented a badge bearing the words “Agent” and “California” according to the Riverside Sheriff’s report. Following the trail, law enforcement tracked down the white impostor cruiser, and they didn't just find Sawhill's counterfeit badge but also phony ID cards that smacked of fraud.
The masquerader now faces charges for impersonating a peace officer, false imprisonment, and offenses related to the illegal use of emergency lights; he's currently cooling his heels in custody. Though the Riverside Sheriff’s Department is keeping a tight lid on the case details, their investigation into the counterfeit cop continues to unfold with the possibility of more victims yet to come forward.
Residents who might've fallen prey to this badge-bearing charlatan can reach out to Deputy Stacey of the Lake Elsinore Station at (951) 245–3300, and the department is keen on reminding the public about the essence of "Community Policing", which thrives on partnership—between law enforcement and the people they serve—any suspicious behavior or crime is encouraged to be reported right away by contacting Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776–1099 or dialing 911 for emergencies, the effort to maintain order is both an individual and collective responsibility.
For further details on this incident or to reach out with potential leads on Sawhill's operation, the Riverside Sheriff's Media Information Bureau stands open for inquiries, reminding us that even the most elaborate masquerade can't last forever under the weight of truth and justice.
